Species and Habitat
WHY SPECIES AND HABITAT?
Vietnam is one of the countries with the richest biodiversity in the world. However, many species are being threatened and driven to the verge of extinction. Even many protected areas here are nearly exhausted of wildlife due to overexploitation and habitat destruction.
Understanding the important roles of the local community in biodiversity conservation, WildAct works to enable favourable conditions and opportunities for local people to be directly involved in the planning, implementation, management and evaluation of conservation activities on the ground. It is expected that participating villages will enjoy improved living standards, be self-sufficient in food production and jobs security, leading to improved health and educational outcomes.
By providing support for target communities to overcome poverty and hunger, we create the conditions for communities to conserve their forest. WildAct empowers them to directly participate in conserving the threatened species & habitats. We will also conserve their traditional, cultural belief and practice. By amplifying their voices and recognising the important role of their knowledge and culture in forest guardianship across the country, we increase the Vietnamese public awareness and understanding of local, especially indigenous people’s role in conservation as forest-guardians. In addition, we will develop communications materials and identify key audiences for outreach and awareness on indigenous knowledge and skills and benefits for biodiversity.
WHAT WE DO?
1. Rescuing and Rehabilitating Wild Birds
Vietnam is one of the most important areas in the East Asia-Australia bird flyway network. This means Vietnam is an important stopping point for migratory bird species. Over the years, WildAct has been conserving the Chinese Egret (Egretta eulophotes), Saunders's Gull (Larus saundersi), Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor), and Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea), each of which has experienced significant population declines in recent years. As part of the conservation efforts, WildAct aims to create the first bird rescue and rehabilitation centre in Vietnam.
The project aims to harness self-motivation and enthusiasm by training and empowering a new generation of Vietnamese conservation practitioners to address the nation’s substantial responsibilities regarding wildlife conservation and management.
2. Conducting field and social research
A solid base of scientific data is one of the fundamental components of successful conservation practice. In order to inform decision makers and engage local authorities and the public in sustainable development, it is important to present sound science in a plain and easy-to-understand language.
Activities
In Vietnam, the Hatinh Langur lives in heavily forested limestone
In Vietnam, the Hatinh Langur lives in heavily forested limestone
Bird nets are being removed in Ninh Binh province
Bird nets are being removed in Ninh Binh province
Chu Yang Sin National Park has large areas of primary tropical rain forests
Chu Yang Sin National Park has large areas of primary tropical rain forests
WildAct’s social research activities in Ninh Binh province
WildAct’s social research activities in Ninh Binh province
WildAct’s social research activities in Ninh Binh province
WildAct’s social research activities in Ninh Binh province
3. Protecting vital habitats
The ecosystem in Vietnam is being exhausted from human activities, such as habitat encroachment, destruction, and conversion of land use. WildAct has identified priority habitats for conservation, based on its richness of biodiversity, its importance to the survival of endangered species and the threats that the habitats are facing.
In Vietnam, the Hatinh Langur lives in heavily forested limestone
Bird nets are being removed in Ninh Binh province
Chu Yang Sin National Park has large areas of primary tropical rain forests
WildAct’s social research activities in Ninh Binh province
WildAct staff was doing a sociological interview survey with local people
a. The Annamite Mountains
The Annamites ecoregion of Vietnam and Laos is a global biodiversity hotspot with one of the highest levels of species endemism found anywhere. The remarkable species of the Annamites are global biodiversity treasures and an important part of the region’s biocultural heritage – especially in Vietnam, which prides itself on its unique biodiversity. Chu Yang Sin National Park and Bidoup Nui Ba National Park occupy the largest forest blocks in the Annamite ecoregion. It is a high priority for endemic mammals and one of a few places in all of Vietnam with the Critically Endangered Large-antlered muntjac (Muntiacus vuquangensis), the Endangered Owston’s civet (Chrotogale owstoni), and the crested argus (Rheinardia ocellata).
b. Tuyen Hoa
Tuyen Hoa district is located in the northwest of Quang Binh province, featuring karst systems and belonging to the Annamite ecoregion. In Tuyen Hoa district, the Hatinh Langur (Trachypithecus hatinhensis) was spotted for the first time in 2012. A group of local people, including ex-hunters, were created based on volunteers to patrol the forest and remove traps. In 2020, WildAct starts working with the community, providing training to increase their patrol capacity, first-aid skills, and equipment to enhance patrol effectiveness. We also support the local livelihood by promoting their local products “Honey for wildlife” to a wider public.
c. Xuan Thuy
Xuan Thuy National Park has a diverse ecosystem, and an important feeding area for the world's migratory birds. The park was the first wetland area to be announced as a Ramsar site in south-east Asia. We identify Xuan Thuy National Park as one of our priority sites and look forward to conducting more activities at this park. In the near future, we expect to collaborate with the park’s management board to establish the first-ever bird rescue and rehabilitation centre within the park.
4. Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade
Our commitment to end illegal wildlife trade and consumption is not limited to Vietnam, but we also collaborate with NGOs and government agencies, such as the Eagle Network and South African Police Service to disrupt the international trade network. Our efforts resulted in arrests and seizures in Vietnam, Cambodia, Gabon, Mozambique and South Africa.